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AT A GLANCE Does the government owe you money? Find out if you have a check online at www.irs.gov, click on the "Where's My Refund?" tool or call 1-800-829-1954. BY THE NUMBERS $1,086 -- the average refund check owed in Maryland
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More than $1.7 million in Internal Revenue Service tax refund money is awaiting its rightful owners.The IRS is looking for 1,619 Maryland taxpayers whose federal income tax refund checks, totaling more than $1.7 million, were returned to the IRS by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors.
Undeliverable refund checks in Maryland average $1,086 this year, compared to $1,012 last year, and some taxpayers are due more than one check.
"We want Marylanders to get this money as soon as possible," said IRS spokesman Jim Dupree in a press release.
He urged those who think they are missing a refund to visit the IRS website, IRS.gov or call a toll-free IRS Refund Hotline.
"The website is open 24/7 to help you get your check," Dupree said.
All a taxpayer has to do is update his or her address once and the IRS will send out all checks due.
Taxpayers can update addresses with the "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov (located in the site's right column).
The tool enables taxpayers to check the status of their refunds. A taxpayer must submit his or her Social Security number, filing status and amount of refund shown on their 2008 return.
The tool will provide the status of their refund and in some cases provide instructions on how to resolve delivery problems.
Taxpayers checking on a refund over the phone will be given instructions on how to update their addresses. Taxpayers can access a telephone version of "Where's My Refund?" by calling 1-800-829-1954.
The IRS encourages taxpayers to choose direct deposit when they file their returns because it puts an end to stolen or undeliverable checks. Taxpayers can receive refunds directly into checking or savings accounts. Direct deposit is available for filers of both paper and electronic returns.
The IRS also encourages taxpayers to file tax returns electronically because e-file eliminates the risk of lost paper returns. E-file also reduces errors on tax returns and speeds up refunds.
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